Question: Pockets

Shimmy

Shimmy

Inquisitive....I Am
Silver Member
Are all Pro sanctioned tournaments played on tables with the same size pockets? Is there a limit to pocket sizes either way from minimum to widest?

I know when players gamble it seems the pockets sizes are one of the main topics of discussion.
 
The men and women play on the tables provided by the promoters.
Currently there isn't any Men's PRO sanctioning. The women do have their standards.

It is all up to the promoters who put up the money. The Pros don't have much choice. They either show up and play or they don't.

Pocket sizes range from just under 4½ inches to just under 5 inches.
 
Tom In Cincy said:
The men and women play on the tables provided by the promoters.
Currently there isn't any Men's PRO sanctioning. The women do have their standards.

It is all up to the promoters who put up the money. The Pros don't have much choice. They either show up and play or they don't.

Pocket sizes range from just under 4½ inches to just under 5 inches.
Click to expand...

Thanks for info I didn't know what terminology to use.
 
From my limited personal experience, Pocket size usually isnt an issue for me, but shelf depth and the pocket angle are.

Get a corner pocket thats 4.75 inches with a pocket angle that is too wide and a deep shelf, balls will rattle. Balls that are supposed to go in. That drives me absolutely batty!

Every damn table at my home pool hall is like this.

I go up to Hammerheads or Strokers and I play a ball or two better.
 
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BryanBpool said:
From my limited personal experience, Pocket size usually isnt an issue for me, but shelf depth and the pocket angle are.

Get a corner pocket thats 4.75 inches with a pocket angle that is too wide and a deep shelf, balls will rattle. Balls that are supposed to go in. That drives me absolutely batty!
Click to expand...

I learned something else. So a wider pocket doesn't neccasarily mean that it will be easier to pocket balls.
 
Shimmy said:
I learned something else. So a wider pocket doesn't neccasarily mean that it will be easier to pocket balls.
Click to expand...

Shots like this in particular. Although the shot was not hit perfectly, it should still go.

With the corner pockets i described these shots will rattle if the shot is hit with any velocity higher than pocket speed.

CueTable Help



This can be very frustrating in rotation games where there are just some shots you have to hit a lil harder.

I believe this is what Donny is talking about when he says a pocket is Gaffy.
 
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BryanBpool said:
Shots like this in particular. Although the shot was not hit perfectly, it should still go.

With the corner pockets i described these shots will rattle if the shot is hit with any velocity higher than pocket speed.

CueTable Help



This can be very frustrating in rotation games where there are just some shots you have to hit a lil harder.

I believe this is what Donny is talking about when he says a pocket is Gaffy.
Click to expand...
my table plays the same way, as do most tables i have experienced except bar tables. my table in particular, the cushions are cut so that at the point they are wider than they are where they meet the rail. a ball shot like that would get bounced into the other side of the pocket opening further away from the hole. it will go back and forth, further out each time until it finally frees itself or hangs. lets not forget bar tables are designed to make money. the quicker the balls disappear, the quicker it gets more quarters (or dollars lately). i try to play shots at pocket speed or close to it whenever possible. the faster the ball is going towards to pocket the smaller the pocket becomes.
 
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Ant812 said:
my table plays the same way, as do most tables i have experienced except bar tables. my table in particular, the cushions are cut so that at the point they are wider than they are where they meet the rail. a ball shot like that would get bounced into the other side of the pocket opening further away from the hole. it will go back and forth, further out each time until it finally frees itself. lets not forget bar tables are designed to make money. the quicker the balls disappear, the quicker it gets more quarters (or dollars lately). i try to play shots at pocket speed or close to it whenever possible. the faster the ball is going towards to pocket the smaller the pocket becomes.
Click to expand...

Thats totally the truth. Hell the shelf on bar tables is almost non-existant. On some of them you can damn near shoot a ball down the rail slowly and make it in the side.

My drawing has the angle a little exaggerated for effect. With the tables at my pool hall if any contact is made with the rail on the way to the corner pocket, it is likely the ball will not go.

Granted, I could have probably hit the ball better, it just becomes very frustrating when shooting balls at this angle knowing that the "real" pocket width is only about a ball wide. That leaves no room for error. The game is hard enough already!

I do not have this problem when playing in Diamonds or GCs
 
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Mfg set there specs when creating their tool/dye for the home industry. Pro events possibly have the mfg specifically change the opening and facing, or like Greg Diamond, he's probably set up to accomodate either request. I would think when a pro event is being set up the local/best table mechanic is called in to make it the equipment the way the promoter/association wants.
 
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